Our Concept, Our People, Our Values
Secure Pointe is a boutique international business risk consultancy practice. We founded the firm in 2010 to help our clients address local security challenges, implement the proper level of duty of care, and provide tailored security solutions.
Secure Pointe has extensive experience throughout Mexico, Latin America and other high-to-extreme risk environments around the globe.
We provide client and situation-specific solutions that address our clients’ concerns.
We are headquartered in Houston, Texas, with regional offices in Mexico City, Mexico and Georgetown, Guyana.
Our Directors have more than 100 years of collective experience solving highly complex risk-related issues, and we complement our in-house capabilities with a carefully cultivated network of in-country specialists and international consultants.
Our clients include security executives within multinational companies who are responsible for protecting personnel and assets — as well as their company's reputation.
Discretion, integrity, and responsiveness are Secure Pointe’s core values, and no client engagement is initiated without complete alignment on those principles.
Latin America Focus
At Secure Pointe we believe that cultural specialization matters in security and risk management. In fact, we believe it is critical. This is why we focus on the Latin American market, applying our deep regional experience, linguistic ability, and cultural knowledge to help our clients navigate the complex situations that often confront them in the region. Our focus allows us to provide our clients with solutions that are not only based on a deeper understanding of the environment, but also solutions which are less likely to create friction within the local cultures.
Team
Mark D. Carlson
CEO & President
More than 30 years of business experience in security and intelligence operations in medium to high-threat operating environments. Has held senior executive positions with the world’s leading risk management corporations, including Control Risks and Pinkerton Inc. MBA from Hofstra University and MA from Vanderbilt University in Latin American Studies.
Michael Woodrum
COO, Managing Director, Operations
An international security risk management expert with extensive experience assisting international oil companies and extractives companies protect people, assets, and reputation in complex territories. His experience spans assisting major oil companies entering new markets and technology startups. A former partner multi-national risk consulting company Control Risks. During his tenure he assisted numerous multi-national corporations protect their people across Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Holds an MA in Economics from University of California Santa Barbara and an MBA from the University of Texas, Austin
Dave Gaddis
Managing Director, Guyana/Andean Ridge
Over 30 years of experience in the security risk management services and U.S. Federal law enforcement. Recently held the positions of Director of Corporate Security for two global insurance companies overseeing security risk management for more than 20,000 employees working across 15 countries. Formerly held operational and senior management positions in Miami, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico and Colombia overseeing international task force operations throughout Latin America.
Tatiana Gomez
Managing Director, Mexico & Central America
More than fifteen years of experience in public safety and private security in Mexico.Previously General Director of Communication and Social Liaison and Spokeswoman for the Attorney General of the State of Sonora, leading inter-institutional coordination with the different levels of government at the national level. Responsible for the creation and direction of the Citizen Links Foundation with Security, which generated dignified conditions of work for police forces and strengthened their bonds with civil society. An important result of this joint effort was the strengthening of the Specialized Unit in the fight against kidnapping for ransom and extortion. Graduate of the University of Arizona with BAs in Political Science and Italian Studies. Mexican National, fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian.
Andrew Benkard
Managing Director, Sales & Marketing
Most recently the Marketing Director at BCMS North America, a boutique international investment bank. Extensive experience in marketing and sales with organizations such as Dow Jones, The Wall Street Journal, and early stage startups. BA, Vassar College and an MBA from Columbia University.
Karin Turnoff
Administration & Finance Manager